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A content management system used in setting up websites and blogs, WordPress is free to all users. The software offers multiple themes for setting up and managing website graphics and appearance, and multiple plugins and widgets to make working with a website quick and easy for most any person, even those who are not particularly computer-savvy.

WordPress Direct

WordPress Direct is a privately owned website that “produces publishing tools to aid novice Internet users and experts alike.” The “free” plan allows two installations and one free website. The basic plan provides 50 installations and 20 dashboard sites and access to the “Pro” theme library. The “Gold Professional” plan allows 500 installations and 100 sites in your dashboard, along with access to the same theme library under the “Basic” plan. The “Platinum” option, which was sold out at the time of publication, offers 2,000 installations and 500 sites in the dashboard and pro and advanced theme builders. WordPress Direct is a privately owned hosting service by Blinking Dot Software, not associated with the creator of WordPress, Matt Mullenweg.

Web Hosting

Many Web hosting providers provide free installs of WordPress as a content management system right from your “Control Panel,” known as cPanel. Depending on the hosting package you purchase, this is often a more inexpensive way for people to go. Some host providers offer monthly fees as low as $5.95 as of the date of publication for setting up as many sites as you want; however, this option requires more experience working with these functions, although each Web hosting program provides ample free tutorials.

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Differences

Comparing WordPress to WordPress Direct is not an accurate comparison. The reason is that WordPress Direct is a privately hosted service using the free WordPress software combined with Web hosting in one package. The original WordPress website offers each person one free blog, without any fees, in the same manner that WordPress Direct does. WordPress Direct charges $39 a month for its “Basic” package, $97 a month for the “Gold Professional and $399 for the “Platinum” as of the time of publication. While it does provide some ease of use because of simple installations and commands, you can use WordPress free from any of a number of Web host providers, such as Hostgator, Bluehost or Dreamhost, all offering 1-click installs and unlimited hosting starting at $5.95 and up as of the date of publication, with increasing options for higher fees. Unlimited hosting means you can have as many websites as you want for the one simple fee.

Comparison

The WordPress main website does not offer any type of website hosting packages, but recommends Web hosts for use with the WordPress content management system. WordPress Direct provides all the hosting for you. While WordPress Direct does make it easier to get up and going with a website, if you take a little time and learn some of the basics of working with cPanel, you can handle these functions yourself at a fraction of the cost. It comes down to how much you want to spend per month on hosting services and how much you want to learn about creating websites on the Internet.

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About the Author

As a native Californian, artist, journalist and published author, Laurie Brenner began writing professionally in 1975. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. Brenner graduated from San Diego's Coleman College.